Chapter 342: with translation of chapter title

It was afternoon, the sky was deep blue, and there were no clouds for thousands of miles.

We must not add extra spaces beyond needed. We'll output exactly "【N】 translation". Ensure no extra leading/trailing spaces.

I, Hu Han San, am back again!

I, Hu Han San, am back again!

Then

Donglan City appears to have been repaired over the past few years; its walls are stronger and more magnificent than before, and even the lakeside dock on the west has had several rows of buildings erected, with merchant ships moored in the water stretching continuously.

At this moment, merchants, travelers, townspeople, and small vendors queue to enter before the city gate; the ringing of carts and horses fills the air with clamor, while two rows of city guard soldiers sternly maintain order.

Everything is orderly.

Heng Xian gazes at the city gate, recalling past right and wrong and that lofty vow he made when leaving—"When I return, I shall surely dominate the realm"—now having broken through to the Primordial Dan Realm, it seems he has fulfilled it.

Unable to contain himself, a surge of excitement rises in his chest, and he softly calls out: "I, Hu Han San, am back again!"

"Um… are you Brother Hu? Please make way!"

Behind him, a gap-toothed old man driving a donkey cart lightly waves his whip; on the cart sits a little girl with braided hair, her clothes somewhat worn but her features delicate and pretty, now covering her mouth and giggling "hehe".

Heng Xian steps aside solemnly: "Please!"

The carter also laughs: "Young man, you're from out of town, aren't you? Donglan City is a fine place!"

Having said that, the donkey cart drives away.

"From out of town?"

Heng Xian strokes his chin; just moments ago he was preparing to return with an imposing aura of mighty vigor, flamboyantly making his comeback, yet not losing the reputation he once had as Donglan City's top "good-for-nothing" troublemaker.

But after the carter's reminder, he suddenly feels that going incognito to stroll around and see how Donglan City has developed is also a good option.

After all, it's no exaggeration to say he changed Donglan City's history, making him one of the founders of this city today.

Thinking of this, he takes out the fake beard he once scavenged from his Storage Bag, affixes it, narrows his eyes slightly, and instantly transforms from an unparalleled handsome young lord into a somewhat shabby-looking youth.

Then he stretches his body and strides toward the city gate.

As he moves with the crowd entering the city, he waits a full half incense stick's worth of time before his turn arrives.

The city guards size him up from head to toe, their faces stern, their voices icy: "Where are you from, and what brings you into the city?"

Heng Xian looks at the soldiers' chest insignia—the 'soldier' symbol marking the City Lord's troops and the 'Heng' character denoting lineage—good, a member of the Heng family, though he doesn't recognize them; he smiles and says, "I'm from out of town, just coming to grab a quick bite!"

The soldier pulls out a tablet, scribbles something like an entry permit with a swish-swish, and admonishes: "Inside the city obey the rules; no stealing, robbery, or fighting—violators will be apprehended without pardon!"

Heng Xian takes the tablet, nods, and says: "All right!"

Having entered the city, he scans the streets and silently thinks: Indeed, it has changed.

The road is cleaner, shops line both sides, and in the distance there are more than ten additional high-rise taverns; compared to when he left seven years ago, there have been great changes.

Although the Heng family may be lacking in scheming and land‑grabbing tactics, they are still quite competent at urban planning and improving the city's appearance.

Strolling along, he casually buys a string of candied haws and eats it while walking and looking around.

Just then, a crowd suddenly gathers at the four‑way intersection ahead, from within comes a noisy clamor, faintly mixed with a woman's sobbing.

Heng Xian, curious, walks over.

Before he even reaches them, he hears the carter's pleading from inside the throng: "Sir, please, have mercy—the child is still young!"

A sharp voice cries: "You dare glare at me and still claim you're young? Come on, take this girl back to the manor and make amends with merit!"

"Yes!"

"No, Father!" the girl wails incessantly.

Holy shit!

Heng Xian startles; the great clans of years past were blood‑washed by him, nearly wiped out, and even he himself, the biggest troublemaker, and that dead fatty Sun Bufan have left—yet someone still dares to abduct a civilian woman in broad daylight?

What a mess!

He quickens his steps, reaches the edge of the crowd, and peers inside.

He sees the donkey‑cart old man and his daughter being torn at by a gang of thugs, while nearby stands a luxurious carriage with a pale‑complexioned youth whose eyes flash brightly standing beside it.

Heng Xian frowns slightly; he can tell he has no memory of this person.

When did Donglan City produce such a figure?

Coincidentally, a few men nearby are discussing something with disdainful expressions.

He then asks: "Gentlemen, what's happening here?"

A stout man glances at him and says: "You're from out of town, right? Haven't you seen that Liu the Young Master is abducting a civilian woman?"

"Liu the Young Master?" Heng Xian wonders curiously, could he be a scion of the minor Liu clan?

The stout man chuckles: "He too is an outsider, the brother‑in‑law of the City Lord's eldest son Heng Ruze; relying on his sister's marriage to Heng the Eldest, he has the City Lord's backing, runs two taverns in the city, and daily bullies the market, committing every conceivable evil."

Another bald‑headed man sneers: "If it weren't for Heng Xian, the Heng scion, bursting onto the scene, commanding the Heng clan, fighting the nine great houses and exterminating them, there would be no glory for today's City Lord's Mansion, nor would these noble relatives be swaggering about everywhere."

"Silence! Watch your mouth—do you think you can provoke the City Lord's Mansion?" the stout man warns in a low voice.

The bald‑headed man, realizing he misspoke, shrinks his neck and slinks away.

Heng Xian rubs his forehead, gazes at the still‑struggling crowd, then parts the throng and strides forward: "Hold it!"

"Whoa——"

The old man and his daughter, "Liu the Young Master" and his lackeys, and all the onlookers all turn to look.

"Liu the Young Master" can't help but laugh, rolls up his sleeves, and says: "What's this? Really, nowadays there actually are heroes rescuing beauties, huh?"

"Hahaha……" his lackeys burst into laughter, faces upturned.

"This guy's probably in for bad luck!"

"Really stupid—why bother provoking someone like Liu the Young Master?"

The surrounding crowd can't help pointing and gossiping.

Who would have thought Heng Xian would solemnly declare: "No! I merely think this girl is fine and also want to take her; how about I offer something in exchange for her?"

"Ouch!"

"Liu the Young Master" is greatly amused: "Who would dare try to snatch food from a tiger's mouth? You don't know death—what good stuff could you possibly have?"

Heng Xian raises the Chi Mei Sword in his hand: "This sword is a priceless treasure; Liu the Young Master, have a look!"

"Liu the Young Master" narrows his eyes to look, and can't help but startle.

His sister could marry into the Heng family, so the household naturally wouldn't be poor; as a clan disciple, he's still discerning. This sword looks antique and refined, its aura restrained—one glance shows it's not ordinary. A mere girl, how could she compare to this treasure sword? He couldn't help swallowing his saliva: "What a fine thing!"

Saying that, he reached out to take it.

Heng Xian withdrew his hand: "One hand for money, one hand for goods!"

"Young Master Liu" suspected nothing, waving his hand: "Release them!"

His underlings immediately released the girl and the old cart driver.

Father and daughter, grateful, kowtowed and bowed to Heng Xian: "Thank you, Young Master Hu, for saving our lives, thank you, Young Master Hu..."

Who would have thought that a mere chance encounter would see this "outsider" actually save their lives?

Heng Xian laughed: "Let's go!"

The grandfather and grandson hurriedly drove their cart away.

Only then did Heng Xian look at "Young Master Liu", heft the Chi Mei Sword, and toss it over casually: "Catch!"

"Young Master Liu" reached out with both hands, delighted—who knew that upon contact his face would suddenly change drastically, and then—

"Crack!"

The sword pinned him to the ground, bones shattering, blood spraying wildly.

And the Chi Mei Sword, with a force of a hundred thousand catties, struck the ground, unleashing an earth-shaking roar—

"Boom——"

Nearby, the earth shook and mountains swayed; onlookers staggered.

Young Master Liu's underlings turned pale with shock, stumbling as they went to move the Chi Mei Sword.

Yet what seemed a simple ancient sword was as heavy as a mountain; six or seven of his men strained with all their might, but it didn't budge an inch.

Young Master Liu, already crushed out of shape, vomited blood and screamed madly: "Save... save me, ah..."

"Hey? You..." the underlings looked up at Heng Xian, but there was no sign of him anywhere.

(End of chapter)